Reincarnated Into A Dead Woman's Body In Another World-Chapter 171: Arc 4, Act I, - 16: Keep It Civil

"Now, now dear; it’s rude to eavesdrop on the princess and her most recent guests," his walking sceptre clacked with his footsteps into the foyer from the inner halls.

A reedy thin man with a pencil moustache and coifed black hair came and stood with both hands on his sceptre—light tan skin and brown eyes.

He wore a double breasted suit with silver cufflinks and the same glimmering silver on his broach and earrings that dangled.

"And Count Keya. Good morning to you both," Feyan bowed his head.

The couple both looked to be in their early to mid-forties, though not a single wrinkle appeared on either of their skin.

"Good morning, Count and Countess Keya; did you sleep well?" Daiyu’s entire tone had changed; to the one they had heard when they first met the princess.

"Indeed my dear," the countess turned her attention immediately to the new faces, "Good morning to you all, I don’t believe we’ve met."

"You can go invisible!?" Asobi hopped in front of her, "I can do that too!" she tapped her hat with her wand and disappeared.

The count and countess gave curious looks before the countess raised her brows, "My, my dear, that’s wonderful," she cocked her head, "Light-based illusory... However, it did not seem like an invisibility spell."

"She just, cloaks herself in light; not an invisibility spell." Jotou pushed her chest out and stood straight, "Hello, I’m Jotou Howllett; the Thundering Blade of Kria." ’Should I boast my title more or was that perfect enough...? Eh, too late now.’

The pearled woman gave a small nod. "Greetings, I am Hotaru Kinoshita, pleasure to make your acquaintance," the redhead gave a curtsy, "Master level caster, adventurer and ex-lawyer."

Fumeko sighed, giving a half-baked bow, "I’m detec-" she noticed Hotaru’s gaze; a ’don’t’ written in the wolf-girl’s eyes. "I’m Fumeko Namora, adventuring detective."

"Pleasure to make your acquaintances as well," the count bowed deeply, "I am Count Halai Keya."

"And the pleasure, is all mine," the countess flaunted before she gave a curtsy in return, "I am Countess Varshini Keya. Now, who’s this adorable little elf?"

The countess whisked up her fingers as she sprinkled water into the air. The bluish glow stuck around a figure, making it apparent where Asobi stood.

"Woah... I’m glowy!" Asobi, still invisible was being followed by an aura of water to let her be seen, "I’m," she flourished out of her invisibility.

Dust of white glitter puffed into the air as she appeared right before the countess with a smile that brightened the room, "The Amazing Asobi! Magician Extraordinaire! Keep an eye on me or I might just vanish into thin air!"

"Hm, this girl has quite the cheer and flair," the countess giggled, "I would not mind teaching a few of my illusory secrets Ms Asobi; perhaps, a lesson in invisibility?"

"You," Asobi’s eyes glittered like stars, "You can teach me spells!? YES PLEASE!" she jumped.

"I didn’t know you were in the market for students dear," the count replied.

"Neither did I," she gently grabbed Asobi by the shoulder, "But look at how adorable this elf is, I could eat her up."

Asobi chuckled in response.

"You should take notes Lord Artevik~"

"I believe Ms Asobi is unique of her own accord; not because she is an elf.

Frankly, the fact that you would insinuate such a comment due to my elven heritage is rather uncouth countess," Feyan for once glared, a smoke of shadow flashing across his eyes.

The countess let go of Asobi and for a split second frowned before she smiled to Feyan, "I was merely suggesting for you to be a little less, uptight."

"Wouldn’t you just love that," Daiyu half-closed her right eye.

"Tap-tap." "Be civil," the count tapped his cane against the floor, "There are guests among us," he walked towards Jotou before halting right at her face; he was easily the tallest in the room, "So, this is the fabled Thundering Blade."

"That I am." ’Why’s everyone tense all of a sudden... Just play along Jotou...’

"I must say, reading of your work has been quite inspiring. The voice of thunder personified I hear."

Jotou smiled, "You flatter me."

"Forgive me for asking, but what relation do you have with her majesty?"

"Well," Jotou cocked a brow to Daiyu. "I presume you know of the princess’s, case?"

"Oh they’re well aware," Daiyu held her hands together.

’Alright then.’ "I am the princess’s best friend. I too appeared in another form that had recently passed."

"I see," the count nodded, "The two of you knew each other from your previous lives."

The countess walked past Asobi and glanced at Jotou, "It is an interesting case for sure."

"All matters of magic tend to be," Feyan budded in.

"And she’s quite the specimen to behold; the natural beauty of a noble, a voice like a songbird, a title to her name of a warrior; truly earned her place in the halls of fame," the count placed a finger under Jotou’s chin to tip her up.

Jotou’s brows furrowed and grabbed his wrist in an instant. ’Keep it together... For Daiyu’s sake...’ "I must request that you do not do that, please," Jotou gently pushed his arm away, all with a smile on her face.

He bowed his head lightly, "Apologies, I will keep that in mind."

"Oh dear, there’s no real harm is there? Any friend of the princess is a friend of ours; after all, we’re much like family," the countess held Jotou’s chin once more, a little tighter.

Fumeko glared and took a step forward. "I believe her words were clear," Hotaru gripped the countess’s wrist before Fumeko could get any closer. The redhead’s tail spiked and her ears pricked as she bared her fangs.

"I urge you to keep your hands to yourself," Daiyu clenched her fist as she began to tense her leg and feet, restraining herself to not do anything rash.

"You are now harassing our honoured guests Countess Keya, does your disrespect know no bounds?" Feyan spoke, "Now, if you do not wish the Thundering Blade to take you to court, I suggest you stop this at once."

"I think she really wants to see Hotaru in action," Fumeko sneered.

The countess glowered before pulling her hand out of Hotaru’s grasp. She rubbed her wrist and stood upright, "Well, I believe it’s time for our morning meal, is it not?"

"It is my dear," the count sighed internally, "We will see you all at breakfast," he smirked and took a bow before the two left.

Once the couple was out of the vicinity, Jotou, Daiyu and Fumeko let out a guttural huff. Hotaru glared to them before taking a deep breath and exhaling it all out.

"I thought they were nice people..." Asobi’s shoulders slumped in her pouting.

"Facades can be very convincing," Feyan sighed, his scowl disappearing, "I apologize for their behaviour; I wish I could say this was the first time."

"It’s not your fault Feyan," Jotou shook her head.

"Nevertheless, you handled that with the upmost class. So felicitations to you at the very least," Feyan replied.

"What do those asshats do anyway? Can’t you like, revoke their titles and banish them or something?" Fumeko glanced to Daiyu.

Daiyu tightened her lips, "I wish. I told Jotou this last night, but there’s a bunch of bastards who like to poke and prod at me, trying to get the upper hand.

Any reason they can get to basically walk all over me. You just saw two of them; the count ain’t so bad, but that bitch... That isn’t even the main issue."

"They were noble friends of the previous king, which is how they acquired the titles of count and countess. The princess cannot revoke the wishes of the late king without proper reason.

And as you can imagine, why they are not too fond for the princess to be someone they do not know. However, their goading can only go so far," Feyan explained.

Daiyu rubbed her hands, "All I need is one of them to screw up and cross the line and they’re out of here!"

"They stay here?" Hotaru raised her brows, "Great..."

"They are here to, ’oversee’, proceedings and such whilst the princess remains to be a controversial subject," Feyan rested his clipboard, "Alright, let us journey to the dining hall for now. Some food will put us at ease; I hope..."

"You okay?" Hotaru checked Jotou’s chin.

"I’m fine, she held a little tight, but her hand was dainty."

"If she puts her hands on you again, I’ll cut it off... If I have my dagger with me at least," Fumeko walked up.

"Thanks- Wait, where’d you put the dagger?" Jotou’s eyes widened.

"It’s been stabbed into the nightstand," Asobi answered.

"What!?" Feyan squeaked.

"Snitch!"

"Why do you know that?" Hotaru turned to the magician.

"Oh, I was scared last night, so I slept over in Fumeko’s room! It was fun!"

"STOP!" Fumeko yelled, flushing red.

"Meko," Jotou held the bridge of her nose, "You can’t just keep that dagger like that..."

"It cuts through stone and wood like butter! Where d’you want me to put it? My pocket?"

"Listen, this is very entertaining to watch," Daiyu smiled to them, "But, we kinda have a schedule, that I really don’t wanna fuck up, so tabled for now?"

"Of course," Hotaru forced a smile, "We’ll deal with Fumeko’s little fiasco later; Feyan, please let no one enter that room... For the sake of injuries."

"It’s not ’stabbed’, just poking into," Fumeko defended.

"I shall..." Feyan cupped his face into his hands.

"Feyan, I hate to trouble you with something else," Jotou gazed.

Feyan shook his head in his palms, "As long as it is not three hundred armite I will say yes..."

’Two hundred ninety-nine armite then? Shut up Jotou.’ "Not that. If that’s what we’re gonna be dealing with, I’m gonna need more than a quick rundown on all these titles, guests and their positions.

Maybe the ones I should watch out for too. One wrong move might spell the end and I’d rather be prepared. The sooner you can tell me the better."

Feyan glanced up, "Your forethought, is commendable. Very well, I will inform you after breakfast; all of you," the calculations began in his head.

"That would be splendid!" Asobi hopped.

"I’m gonna need a lot of food for that; where’s this dining hall?" Fumeko already began marching forward.

"This way," Daiyu sighed.

Jotou stood a little behind as Hotaru held the side of the blonde’s arm, "Always clever~" she walked ahead, with a grin and a flicker of her ears.

The corner of Jotou’s lip rose. ’Stop smiling you idiot... Walk. Walk!’ Jotou followed the rest of them as the rain stormed.